Lauren Price successfully defended her first world title in style as she knocked out Pexie Matthews three times en route to a devastating third-round knockout victory in Liverpool on Saturday.
The ruthless Price not only showcased her impressive boxing skill set, which has been no secret until now, but she also demonstrated her vicious power as she dominated her Colombian opponent to move to 8-0 as a pro.
Price returned to the ring for the first time since defeating Jessica McCaskill to claim her first world title in Cardiff last May.
If this was her first crowning moment, it was her first performance as champion as she once again proved herself at a higher level in the final step in a fast-moving journey to greatness for the Olympic gold medalist.
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Lauren Price wants to face Natasha Jonas after her huge knockout win over Pixie Matthews
“With speed comes power,” Price said. “I enjoyed my time there and I wanted to make a statement. I want big fights next year.”
“Credit to my opponent, I knew she had a good record. I had a great camp and I'm thrilled.
“I think it's just fight by fight, I'm continuing to learn and develop, there's a lot more to come but I've got a great team behind me and you saw tonight that I don't care about speed, I can be very successful as well.” .
“It's my eighth professional fight tonight, I'm still learning but I think I'm the best at 147. I want a winner in the main event tonight, I've got more belts to collect, I want to bring big boxing back to Wales.”
Price wasted no time in making an early breakthrough when she caught Matthews with a beautifully timed left hook to send her counterpart to the canvas.
Matthews, who appeared to be trading shots early while pressing her left hook, gamely got back to her feet as she managed to survive the opening round.
Price launched another attack in the second to drop Matthews with another hook, the Colombian's legs never recovering from the impact as she was brutally dispatched by a powerful right hand to end things.
Next up could be an exciting British clash with Natasha Jonas in 2025, a rivalry that has been the talk of the week in Liverpool.
“I respect Tasha, it will be a great British fight. When I became an Olympic champion, I wanted to be in huge fights and it is a hell of a fight not just for women's boxing but for boxing in general.”
Cutler and McKenna made an exciting film
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Lee Cutler floored Stephen McKenna twice and celebrated the victory with a breakdance after getting a majority decision in Liverpool.
Lee Cutler took down Stephen McKenna twice as he prevailed in an all-out epic to win by majority decision in a fight that lived up to expectations.
The pair were embroiled in a fiery war of words throughout the build-up as McKenna vowed to eliminate his opponent.
Instead, it was Cutler's cleaner work and two knockouts that would earn him the win and the WBC International super-welterweight championship.
For the entire making of McKenna, it was the slick and precise Cutler who won 94-94, 95-93, 96-92 on the scorecards in a deserved win.
“The chaos tonight, I loved it. I bullied the bully, there was no point running away from him because he's a decent kid but I knew he couldn't handle the force,” Cutler said.
“My team thought I was going to stop him, and that's something I'll have to work with, carrying the shot throughout the fight.
“I'm ready for those big nights now.”
Lee Cutler matches Stephen McKenna for the second time
Cutler enjoyed the perfect start when he sent McKenna to one knee after a series of clean shots in the opening round, capitalizing on his early advantage by targeting his younger opponent's body.
McKenna came back firing in response in the second when he chopped down the head of Cutler, who seemed happy to bite and work from the inside given more openings in the torso.
Cutler's game plan paid off again when he caught McKenna with a well-timed headbutt in the third round, his confidence evident in the constant smile in the face of head shots coming his way. With McKenna's busy style came examples of smart dribbling moments, discipline from Cutler during his shot selection and confidence in his stamina in the final round.
Cutler's corner continued to plead with their man to attack the body of McKenna, who seemed to tip the fight in his favor with superior production while forcing Cutler to work on his back foot.
By the fifth round, I wondered if Cutler had thrown enough back despite the early knockdown he took as McKenna continued to advance.
The answer would be certain two rounds later, as McKenna's beautiful right hand wobbled as the Irishman found himself on his knees for a second time.
The momentum was back on Cutler, sensing it, and setting up a booming right hook as McKenna threw wild swing after wild swing in an attempt to get himself back in the contest.
There was no let up in the final rounds, as both continued to trade hands while running between the ropes until the final bell in what would become a fight of the year contender.
Jeffers is looking forward to fighting Simpson
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Mark Jeffers produced a dominant display in Liverpool, defeating Joshua Quartey in three rounds
Mark Jeffers dispatched Joshua Quartey with ease in a third-round TKO victory to retain his Commonwealth Silver super-middleweight title and continue his path towards bigger days in 2025.
Jeffers improved his perfect record to 19-0 (six KOs) after calling for more respect and more high-profile fights throughout the buildup. For Jeffers, bigger days mean a clash with Callum Simpson, who is scheduled to fight Stead Woodhull on January 11.
“I know what level I can fight at. I need someone who is going to get the best out of me, and that's Callum Simpson. I don't just want Callum Simpson, I want anyone who is a top fighter.”
“I have nothing but respect for Callum Simpson, he is the biggest name in Britain (in his division), and this is to improve my career.
He added: “Callum, I'm 100% sure he can do it, and obviously I can too.”
The Chorley man was the main aggressor from the opening bell, wearing down Quartey with blistering pace, movement, power and shooting variety before eventually breaking through with a knockdown in the third.
Quartey had not fully recovered as another attack arrived, a second knockdown spelling the end as referee Kieran McCann finally called off the bout after another wave of punishment moments later.
Riley begins testing Chamberlain
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Vidal Reilly delivered an explosive knockout blow in Liverpool when he knocked out heavyweight Dan Garber in the second round
Vidal Reilly set up a local clash with Isaac Chamberlain as he produced another strong performance with a last-minute second round stoppage time win over his opponent Dan Garber.
Riley took his unbeaten professional record to 12-0 with a TKO win which has now set up a great local bout with Isaac Chamberlain.
“It was perfect. I thought it might have been earlier, but it was good to open up the lungs. It was a six-round game, so no point in fighting it like 10 rounds. I wanted to push it and make the most of it, because the guy staring at me ( “Isaac Chamberlain will need more than that.”
Chamberlain joined Riley in the ring after the fight as the latter confirmed that the pair will meet in London on February 1.
The massive heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be broadcast on Saturday 21 December on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
